LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sergeant John P. Colarusso upon the
occasion of being selected as Grand Marshal of the Stillwater Memorial
Day Parade on May 27, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those distinguished citizens who devote their time and ener-
gies to the service of their community and profession, participating in
civic affairs and enhancing the character and quality of life for all
citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Sergeant John P. Colarusso upon the occasion of being selected as Grand
Marshal of the Stillwater Memorial Day Parade to be held on Friday, May
27, 2016; and
WHEREAS, On Memorial Day, observed annually on the last Monday of the
month of May, we honor those Americans who gave their lives in defense
of their country, whether in the Civil War which divided our nation,
international conflicts such as the World Wars, or in peacetime service
to uphold the cherished principles of liberty and democracy upon which
our grand Republic was founded; and
WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal of the Stillwater Memorial
Day Parade, Sergeant John P. Colarusso proudly served his country as a
member of the United States Army during World War II; and
WHEREAS, On January 22, 1942, John P. Colarusso enlisted in the United
States Army in Albany, New York, and successfully completed his Basic
Training at Fort Dix in New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Assigned as Truckmaster No. 931, Sergeant John P. Colarusso
was in charge of 60 motor vehicles and a 70 man transportation unit,
which shuttled paratroopers back and forth from various locations to and
from jump training exercises; and
WHEREAS, During his meritorious military career, Sergeant John P.
Colarusso was a part of the storied Normandy Campaign, and was assigned
to Major General J. S. Wood's 4th Armored Infantry where he would fight
in the Battle of the Bulge and helped the United States Army break
through to Bastogne; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Sergeant John P. Colarusso's unit fought in the
Rhineland Campaign and liberated victims from the Ohrdruf Concentration
Camp; after being reassigned as Truckmaster, he was responsible for
transporting the USO Tour; and
WHEREAS, After his assignment with the USO Tour, Sergeant John P.
Colarusso went back to the 4th Armored Infantry and he and his fellow
soldiers entered Czechoslovakia; after their tour of duty, the Infantry
was returned to the United States for inactivation, however, most of the
elements remained as occupation forces and were reassigned as the First
Constabulary Brigade; on May 20, 1949, the 4th Armored Infantry was
finally deactivated; and
WHEREAS, For their efforts, the 4th Armored Division was the first of
all the divisions to receive the Presidential Unit Citation, for their
actions from December 22, 1944, through March 27, 1945; and
WHEREAS, In addition to this auspicious honor, Sergeant John P. Cola-
russo was the recipient of numerous other awards including the American
Service Medal, the European, African and Middle Eastern Service Medal
with three stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory
Medal, the Purple Heart GO 32 HQ130, and was a qualified Expert on the
M-1 rifle; and
WHEREAS, After his honorable discharge on December 12, 1945, Sergeant
John P. Colarusso returned to Fort Dix and wed his wife on March 2,

1946; the couple were happily married for 70 years before she passed
away in January of 2016; and
WHEREAS, As we observe and remember our deceased veterans on Memorial
Day, we recall their brave and noble deeds as well as their sacrifices
which have served to maintain our most precious and cherished freedoms
and honor those who continue to work diligently to support and sustain
them; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sergeant John P. Colarusso upon the occasion of being selected as
Grand Marshal of the Stillwater Memorial Day Parade on May 27, 2016; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sergeant John P. Colarusso.